Comprehensive Guide: Tower Garden HOME on MSS (Florida Edition!)
- Leah Brooks
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Want an easy-peasy Tower Garden set-up that is plug-and-play?
Let’s get you started right away!
Growing indoors is a great introduction to the magic of gardening! When we control the climate and lighting, the work of gardening decreases, and the enjoyment increases!
Step by Step....
Step 1: 'Purchase' Supplies off MyScholarShop
Step 2: Create Your Notebook!
Step 3: Watch Videos with Your Child
Step 4: Plan & Purchase Seed & Pest Control
Step 5: Purchase Strawberry Seedlings to grow in the 'baby spots
Step 6: Purchase Accessories from Amazon if you need them
Step 7: Submit Non-MSS Purchases to Step Up for Students for Reimbursement
Step 8: Assemble your Tower Garden HOME & direct seed your first crop!
Step 9: Reach out to Leah With Questions!
Step 10: Join our growing community!
Step 1: 'Purchase' Supplies off MSS
Start by 'purchasing' (off MyScholarshop) the Tower Garden HOME with the Support Cage Bundle, the Tower Garden LED Grow Lights, the Germinator, and any of the Seed Packs that your family wants to try!
Is this available to both PEP and UA kids?
Yes, it is! FES-UA and FES-PEP kids can purchase the Tower Garden on MSS.
Can I put my Tower Garden on my balcony or lanai/porch?
Step 2: Create Your Notebook!
Download the following documents. Create your notebook!
1) Print the Tower Garden School Worksheets
2) Print off the FREE Tower Garden Lesson Plans from the Tower Garden website!
3) Print the Student Worksheets
Step 3: Watch Videos with Your Child
Find more Mr. Ritz videos HERE!
Step 4: Plan & Purchase Seeds & Pest Control
Your Tower Garden will come with several seed packages.
I recommend that you purchase the Indoor Seed Pack, Culinary Seed Pack, Juicing Seed Pack, Picture Perfect Seed Pack, Aromatic Seed Pack, and Baby Greens Seed Pack MyScholarShop or TowerGarden.com! Each of these seeds can be grown indoors year round, or outdoors in season.
I recommend growing no more than (1) cucumber, (1) eggplant, and (3-5) tomato plants indoors. If you want more tomato varieties, check out my post about the fabulous micro-dwarf tomato seeds available from Victory Seeds!
Note on spinach: I have trouble growing spinach indoors in Florida. I think it may be due to our relatively high indoor temperatures. Grow it as a baby green! Seed it thick, grow it quick, and replant it often. Growers up north grow in their basements, where temps tend to be in the 60s.
I do much better with Tatsoi, which is a nice substitute! I use it the same way I use spinach. The stems are juicier, so it lends itself well to adding to Asian dishes.
Step 5: Purchase Strawberry Seedlings to grow in the 'baby spots'
Everyone wants to grow strawberries, right?
Purchase Albion or Seascape strawberry plants (not seeds!) for indoor growing.
There is room for up to 16 strawberry plants at the top of the Tower Garden.
Step 6: Purchase Accessories from Amazon if you need them
Water Filter & Treatment
If you fill your Tower Garden with city water, you’ll need to filter the water to remove chlorine and chloramines. One inexpensive option is this filter:
Step 7: Submit Non-MSS Purchases to Step Up for Students for Reimbursement
Submit your receipt under: Instructional Materials ➡️ Elective Supplies ➡️ Garden Supplies
The wording you can use includes:
"Seeds, seedlings, and supplies for my child to grow their Tower Garden"
Keep it simple!
When submitting the water filter, include this document:
Step 8: Assemble your Tower Garden Home and direct seed your first crop!
Read my blog here for help in assembling your Tower Garden.
Lights too bright? Use a room divider to dim the lights. As the plants grow, the light will become dimmer (the plants will absorb and soften it).
Direct seeding is the best way to start the first crop!
How many seeds do I plant? Check this blog post.
Step 9: Reach out to Leah with Questions!!
Step 10: Join our Growing Community!
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